Andrew Nguyen, UCI political science major, has been named the 2023 recipient of the David Rosten International & Community Service Scholarship. The $1,000 award supports students who are planning a career in international affairs and/or public/community service with funds sponsoring student research, service and international travel related to education and humanitarian service. Below, Nguyen shares how his high school experience in Model United Nations led to joining UCI’s award-winning program and a planned future in law.

What piqued your interest in political science, and why did you decide to pursue this degree at UCI?

As a child, I was interested in various fields, including firefighting, astronomy, and history. But, the largest impact on my interests was experienced through high school. I had great teachers who served as mentors to me and the Model United Nations club I was in helped expose me to many societal issues. Fitting with my experiences with politics and law, I felt that UCI’s political science program better aligned with my interests, in particular, the wide range of courses offered and the ability to explore the many subfields of political science. The diverse curriculum and flexible course options at UCI were the deciding factors for me, and I am fully committed to my choice.

What career path do you hope to pursue after completing your undergrad?

After completing my degree, my plan is to attend law school to pursue a career in public service. Many of my passions build upon the idea of helping our communities and I believe that a career in public service through law is the best way for me to achieve this goal.

Since I am not yet sure which field of law I want to practice, law school will provide me with the opportunity to explore and gain knowledge about the legal system and its various aspects. I especially look forward to learning about topics such as constitutional and employment law.

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment at UCI?

My biggest accomplishment at UCI has to be my ability to balance work, school, and personal life at the same time. Alongside working 20-24 hours a week, I am able to keep up with my school workload and be a part of the UCI campus community through clubs and organizations, which I am proud of. In terms of other awards, I have received the UCI Regents Scholarship and am on the Dean’s Honor Roll.

What activities have you been/are you currently involved with on and off campus?

On campus, I am part of two organizations: UCI Model United Nations and Pre-Law Society. For MUN, I am a Conference Director preparing for the annual UCIMUN conference we hold for middle and high school students. As for Pre-Law Society, I am currently a fundraising intern working under two fundraising chairs. Outside of UCI, I work as a college tutor for elementary and middle school students. I have been working at my local school district, Garden Grove Unified, ever since I began attending UCI and am part of many programs facilitating student growth in education and career development.

Who has played an important mentorship role in your life thus far and why?

At UCI, I had two professors – lecturers Calvin Love and Professor Mazamir Yousefi – who taught a political science course jointly which I felt had the most important impact in solidifying my passion for law. Visiting and attending their office hours helped answer the many questions I had about attending law school and how to prepare for such a challenging path. In all honesty, I had many career goals in mind but I was unsure of what to settle on. Not only did their course expose me to the realities of what it means to be a lawyer, but their attitude and true passion for teaching helped guide my interests into the field of law.

What life experiences have played a role in who you are today?

A major influence in my life came from my experiences in Taekwondo. I practiced Taekwondo for 8 years before attending UCI and have gained so many life lessons there. My work ethic, determination, and passion stem from martial arts and the quality of education I received. Not only did I maintain my physical self, but my mental fortitude grew as a result. As I continue to grow as a person, the foundations that I laid through my past continue to play an important role in who I am today.

Where can you most often be found on campus?

The two places I spend the most time on campus when I’m not in classes or meetings are the Student Center and Langson Library. Study rooms are essentially my home away from home between classes while the Student Center has all my needs, whether it's food, study spaces, or just a place to recharge.

What’s your best memory thus far from your undergraduate experience at UCI?

Joining UCIMUN and participating in holding an in-person MUN conference had to be one of the most memorable experiences for me. Being in MUN since high school, my experiences were cut relatively short due to the pandemic. It wasn’t until my first year at UCI that I joined the UCIMUN club and interviewed for a position on the conference staff. Being a part of MUN and meeting so many new people helped reignite my passion for the club and led me to gain new experiences that I cherish. As I was once a delegate in high school attending MUN conferences, I find it fulfilling to realize that I’ve achieved so much and am now in a position where I can continue to share the experience with a wider audience.

Any other interesting tidbits you would like to share?

Some fun facts:

• I am a huge fan of K-Pop. I love listening to BTS and went to their concert in 2021.
• I have a pet corgi named Coco who’s 3 years old. He is a pandemic pet and acts like a cat, but he’s my source of warmth and happiness at home.
• Although this may be controversial, I personally believe the TV show Parks and Recreation is an astronomically better sitcom than The Office.